A leaky defence has been the story of Hull City’s season so far. A Championship record of goals conceded, it’s almost become inevitable that the Tigers will taste disappointment in matches across the entire campaign.

Though the 1-0 defeat at Cardiff will have frustrated the fans, players and supporters in terms of how the goal was conceded (offside by the way, referee) – Nigel Adkins’ side can be very proud of their defensive efforts this time around.

For City to improve they had to tighten up at the back. All too often goals, conceded late on, were ruining chances of points. Though none were taken from Wales, you feared before the match that if Cardiff got into the groove, it could have been three or four in the back of the hosts’ net.

But that wasn’t the case and huge credit has to go to the team. Particularly, I was impressed with Ondrej Mazuch.

(Image: Focus)

He’s not a player that you want to see on the ball 24/7 going up the field ala Harry Maguire or even Michael Dawson, but he’s a defender and a promising one at that.

Mazuch gets stuck in with the challenges, chases down defenders and makes it uncomfortable for the opposition. What I noticed on Saturday is that his partnership with Dawson looks to be blossoming.

(Image: Focus Images)

Yes, Mazuch still has a mistake in him and is by no means the finished article but he’s waited for his chance, got his head down and for me cemented a role in the team.

Injuries ensured a pathway to the starting line-up but can Mazuch be moved from his current position? On this showing, he’ll be again at the back to take on Leeds United at Elland Road next weekend.